DECEMBER 2015

DECEMBER 7TH

Well this week went by soooo fast I literally can't remember anything ha ha. I'm sorry! The good thing though is that we are getting more used to being a three-some and we are actually able to teach and work together quite well. We have continued to find new investigators and are trying to find even more that are actually solid ones.

I was able to go on exchanges with Sis. Hughes and it was awesome! I was able to learn a few things from her on how to plan in a different way and how to teach. I really do enjoy exchanges because it introduces you to many different techniques and things that you can change.

We also had MLC mission leadership council! Before going to the meeting we read a talk from Elder Hamula that was almost exactly the same things that he told our MLC a few weeks prior! Our mission has been focusing a lot on helping us realize who we are and how we can better apply that to the work! I am excited to be able to share that with my zone next week because I feel like it is something we are all lacking and that we need help with! On addition to that we talked about raising things up to the extra degree! They showed us the video on how it makes a huge difference when water boils at 211 verses 212 degrees. Or you could even relate it to the Olympics and the tiny difference that it makes whether they win a metal at all.

I really think that all of the things they shared about going the extra mile and taking the extra step is true. God doesn't ask for perfection but he just asks that we do our best. He wants us to try harder because that effort will increase our performance and help us to do even better! I also know that this is true. Sometimes it just takes a while for us to really apply it to ourselves and not give up during the process haha.

This weekend was fantastic and at the same time really sad for our companionship because 2 of our investigators left to Mexico. So the last time we saw them was on Sunday :( We know that Paloma will be coming back for sure in January but we have no clue when Rosa will be returning. So we are praying that they will keep the faith and continue to do scripture studies while they are gone on their vacations.

Well this week should be exciting because we will be helping with a Creche service and also be having Zone Conference with President Mella so I'm sure that I will be coming away with a lot of things to share in my next email :) I hope that you were all able to see the First Presidency Christmas Devotional! If not, go back and watch it! It has really helped me understand more of the reason that we celebrate Christmas! I love you all soooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!

Les AMO!!!

Hermana Buys


DECEMBER 14TH

Hello everyone!! Well here is another week come and gone ha. We sure kept ourselves super busy this past week. One of the activities was our branch Christmas party! We had an amazing turn out and we sure had a lot of fun. It was looking like it wasn't going to work out, but it did! So we were all super happy about that! There was plenty of food and entertainment so it was great!

My old companion Sister Gilvarry came on Friday night till Saturday and I was able to have a great visit with her! She even came to 2 of our lessons so it was awesome. My companions actually were both sick and so it was just her and I teaching like old times, that sure was amazing!!

I would say that those were definitley part of the highlight of my week! I think the best day was Friday though! We had our Zone Conference which is 3 zones combined in a meeting with the mission president. Our conference was focused on faith and even more specifically teaching with faith, planning in faith, and finding with faith! Of course I have always left these meetings feeling inspired but this meeting I feel like it was 2x the amount of how I normally feel. And I think that it partially is because it was my last zone conference and I just wanted to soak it all up,haha.

We started the conference talking about faith and then by the end of the conference we went into 3 different smaller groups and discussed the finding, teaching, and planning. I've really loved that our mission has been putting more emphasis on these 3 things because if you sum everything up those are the 3 words that you would come up with! haha. I could go on and on about what we discussed, but I'm not going to do that to you! haha ;) What really stuck out to me was that in everything we do we need to focus it on baptism. We can talk about baptism with the members, investigators, and whoever we find on the street. We don't have to only ask them to get baptized but just make it a part of our conversations and really help them understand that that's the first step for them receiving exaltation. So yes, it is REALLY important!! When they see how much we love it then they are going to love it too!!

So in order to put what I learned to practice we went ahead and invited 3 people to be baptized!! One of them whose name is Dona said yes right away and the other 2 we committed them to praying about a specific date and we will follow up with them this week! It's so amazing to see that the things we talk about in these conferences are inspired. They are there to help us be motivated and go out into the field with a stronger determination than ever!!

After all of these spiritual highs Sunday came and was quite the difficult day. My companions and I were able to receive blessings though and it made an outstanding difference! As my blessing was given to me it reminded me once again of the purpose that I have served a mission and as well my purpose here on earth and that is to feel Heavenly Fathers love and share it with others!! That is the gospel and that is why all of us are here, it's as simple as that! Please put forth an extra effort this week and go and share this love of the Gospel with everyone! I promise you that it will make a HUGE difference in your week and you will just want to share even more.

Con MUCHO AMOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxox

Hermana Buys

December 21st

Well it's been another crazy week here in Livermore, haha. I was basically either in the house or in the hospital last week. My companion Sis. Guevara had been having a lot of stomach pain for a while and we finally were able to take her to the emergency room. They found out what it was a few hours later and were able to give her some prescription medicine so I was very grateful! I felt so bad for her because she has been sick a ton ever since she got her on the mission so I pray that her health will get better! Even though we had to stay at home a lot and take care of her it wasn't a burden at all.

I feel like something I have learned to love is taking care of people. It makes you feel so happy because you are able to help them in some way. I feel like when people are healthy it's harder to find things to help them with haha. So if you are able to find some way to help them it's fantastic :)

Well a couple other things we did this past week was that we had a movie night! We showed Ephraims rescue and we had 2 investigators show up! There was also most of the active families there and they really enjoyed the movie! We used it as a finding activity and so we are super glad that it turned out well. In fact! It turned out so well that our branch wanted to do another one this week haha. Due to the business of the holidays we will have to wait until next week though, haha :) So hopefully we will start having them more frecuently and we will be able to meet more people! yay!!!

One of my favorite lessons that we had this past week was with Leticia! We had planned on teaching her the restoration but since she hadn't kept her commitment we decided to read the commitment with her! It ended up being completely inspired because she didn't remember why the book of mormon is important. We were able to help her understand and then we read chapter 11 in 3 Nephi! It was the perfect chapter and after we read we could just see the amazement on her face! She told us that she felt like she was there and that she could imagine herself as one of those people. After she told us that we asked her what Christ had taught to the people. And she told us, "His doctrine." And we said, "YES!" THen we explained what his doctrine is and that one of the most important things is baptism! We asked her if she would like to follow Christ's words and be baptized. She told us yes!! We then asked her a specific date in January and we could see the holy ghost really working with her. She looked so excited and was thinking a lot. After thinking she told us no and then we suggested that she pray about it. She smiled at us and said that she knew that was what she needed to do.

Even though we didn't set a specific baptismal date with her I can say without a doubt that she will be getting baptized! And it makes me so happy to see that it's something she desires. Leticia has defintely come a LONG way :) I'm very excited as well because this Sunday I will be returning to Redwood City for Maria Clemente's baptism!!!! Her husband Jose won't be getting baptized this week but very soon. He wanted to make her day more special for her :) It's true what they say that the Lord works with us in his own time and his own way! I knew she would get baptized it was just a matter of the right time :)

Also, It's the last week of the transfer so I will know Saturday night whether or not I'm getting transferred. So you'll find out soon ;) I'm so very excited for Christmas and that I will be able to see all of you very soon!!!! Hang in there the next few days and to those I won't be seeing on Christmas I wish you happy holidays!!

I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I truly do know that He is the Gift. Christ is the reason for everything and the reason that we have hope and happiness. Please continue to share that happiness! Christ gave us this gospel so that we could share it with others!! :D

LES AMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hermana Buys🎄🎀🎁🎊📞

December 28th 

Happy Monday everyone!!!

Well I hope that you all had a great Christmas! I know that I did for sure!! Well only a few of you know but I will actually be finishing my mission 6 weeks early. So I will be home on Wednesday!! I need to get surgery for my deviated septum and since that isn't quite the shortest recovery I will just be staying home after that. So my last area was Livermore!! Yipeee!!!!

Well to say that it has been a crazy week is a minor thing haha. I still am in shock that I'll be leaving the mission field but I know in my heart that my time here is done. It was actually quite an amazing experience coming to the decision of whether or not to go home or just endure the pain. I had found out last Monday after emailing. I was speaking to the mission doctor and she told me that I had two options I could either go home early or endure through the pain. I was in complete shock and so I told her that I'd have to think about it and let her know later.

As I was striving to know what decision God would have me make the thought of going home just wouldn't leave my head. I prayed about it several times asking if it was the correct decision to make and the idea of going home still stayed in my head. On Tuesday morning I was very nervous and sick but I kept having this thought come to my head that I needed to call the mission doctor and president as soon as possible and let them know that I was going to go home. It was the most frightening thing of my life because I was worried that I'd made the wrong decision.

After talking with both of them and my parents we all came to the decision that it indeed would be better for me to come home. After this time I realized that it truly was happening and I felt a little bit better about it. I still had a tad bit of doubt though. It was the following day that I received a blessing and in it God told me that indeed I was making the correct decision and that I was needed at home. And that blessing has brought me so much peace!!  Even though I know it's right it hasn't made it exactly easy but I know everything's okay.

This experience has taught me to truly pray, depend on the Lord, and learn how to listen to his voice. It has also taught me that with God I am never alone and he has a specific and beautiful plan for my life! Many of you may be thinking well what have you learned from your whole mission experience?!? Well, my companion recorded my testimony that I shared in District Meeting and so I wanted to send that to all of you. And I hope that you can all come to my homecoming on JANUARY 10th at 1PM!!!!!

Thank you for your love and support! You are all so special to me!! CON MUCHO AMOR!!!

Hermana Buys 

P.S. DON"T TELL ANYONE I"M COMING HOME! NOT EVEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA! ITS A SURPRISE FOR SOME OF MY FAMILY!! :D THANK YOU!!!!

NOVEMBER 2015

NOVEMBER 2ND 

Well... if you couldn't tell by the pictures we had a super great week! We've been helping one of our members a lot because she is trying to move. We went over almost everyday and helped her pack up some things. She's really awesome and her name is Martha! She's helped fellowship many of our recent  converts and is just the sweetest person you could ever know. So, we were happy to help her! She's also David Archuleta's aunt so that makes it super fun too, ha ha.

Among all of the great moments of the week there were 2 that really stuck out to me. One of them is a lesson that we had Saturday morning! We met with our investigators Leticia and Rosa. They are a mother/daughter and so interested in the gospel. We planned on teaching them the gospel of Jesus Christ but when they didn't keep their commitment we decided instead to read Moroni 8 with them. As we read it talked a lot about baptism and so they asked us, "how do you get baptised in your church?" We were able to show them the video of Christ's baptism and it answered there question. Then we went into authority and showed them the video of Christ calling and ordaining the 12 apostles. It was so neat to see that we were completely directed by the spirit in knowing what experiences to share and videos that would help them. To other people it may sound like we were doing so many random things. However for my comp. and I could definitely see the spirit directing everything we did.

I loved how when we would answer there questions they just had a look on their faces like " yeah, we understand this." Then at the end of the lesson we were able to invite them to pray about being baptized and they committed to do it. After this lesson I learned a lesson myself that is truly valuable. As missionaries we need to prepare daily, personally and companionship wise in order to know how to meet their needs. Not only that though we have to pay heed to the spirit. This process is only half of it though because the people we are teaching also need to be receptive and willing. If they aren't either of the two then the lesson will not touch their hearts and they won't have the desire to change. This lesson is very valuable to me because it means that it's not only our job but it's also their job as well. I felt so grateful that I was able to experience that kind of lesson where the spirit was literally touching all of our hearts and helping us to learn and understand. I hope that this can not just be one experience but that we can begin to have lessons like these all of the time!

The last thing I really liked about this past week was the family home evening we had yesterday with our branch. We were able to have a message, food, and lots of time getting to know the members. We said goodbye to one of our members because she was returning back to Mexico. During this time that we were all there everyone was talking to each other and uplifting one another. The feeling of love was so strong and also the feeling of sadness that one of us had to go. It is mine and my companions hope that we can not just have these activities once in a while. However that we can always take time to help one another as a branch and really try to know everybody. I imagine that feeling of love is something that we should always have toward one another and it's something that our Heavenly Father hopes for us! He wants us to know everyone in our wards! So my invitation this week is that you take time to get to know someone new whatever ward or branch you are in. Then the next week find someone else or even a family! You never know how much of a difference that will make in their lives and also in the ward you are in ;) I love you all!!

Thank you for your support,

LES AMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hermana Buys

 NOVEMBER 9TH

As always it was quite the week! This week was quite fun because we were able to go on exchanges with the STLs and then the next day we were in a three some. Since it was so crazy we did a lot of service! I really enjoyed that because we were having a hard time finding service when I first got here to Livermore. I also realized that I like doing service that involves people I know and I can see the direct results rather than for a different cause. Both of which are good but one is just easier to see!

Our investigators are doing pretty well and we are finding a lot of the potentials that we've been looking for so we are pretty happy! Our investigator Paloma is coming so close to baptism and we even had the Branch President ask her parents! They haven't given us a response yet, but we will hopefully be finding out tonight what they say! We are also trying to invite all of our investigators to be baptized because that is a HUGE part of our purpose :) We are hoping to have a date for Eva, Leticia, Rosa, and Stephanie this week. So please pray for them!

I know I say this every week, but I honestly can't remember that much from this past week ha. So today it might be a bit shorter because I just kind of wanted to share some things that I've been thinking about the past few days. Its actually kind of funny because even though I still have a little over 3 months left It really hit me this past week that time truly is super short. As my companion was sick and I was sick I spent a lot of time thinking about my mission. Throughout my mission I've heard people talk about how they had changed and how cool that was. Well, I always tried to think about those things and I couldn't really see them in myself. I tried really hard but I just couldn't.

When I went to church on Sunday they were talking about putting the armor of God on. As I was pondering this it just really hit me that the mission has really helped me put the armor on. I thought I had the full set of armor before the mission but I really only had a few pieces. The mission has really blessed my life and helped me begin that process of conversion. I can't say that I'm completely converted because that is far beyond this life. But, I can say that the process has truly started. We will never be truly perfect at everything but as long as we understand why the gospel matters and how it is blessing us then we will be okay. I think the problem that many encounter is that they are only trying a little part of the gospel. They aren't eating the whole fruit or making the gospel part of who they are. And that is really sad! Because as children of God, as his spirit children we need the gospel! We need it more than anything else!

So please go back and figure out why the gospel matters to you. Recognize how it has blessed you and changed you. And then go and share it with someone else. Yes it can be scary, but it is so worth it! Just do your best! Share a quote, picture, video, or some experience of how the gospel has blessed your life. Not only will that person be happy but it will make you happy too! I love this gospel soooo much!!! And I know all of you do too, so please, go out and share it!

I love you all and I hope you have a week full of many miracles!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Con MUCHO Amor,

Hermana Buys 

NOVEMBER 16TH

Well this week has been another week of interesting events! haha. We began getting sick last Sunday and it continued through today. In the past our heater had problems and so they had turned it off. Since the weather was getting colder we wanted to have it turned back on but we found out there was a gas leak. So they kept it off and had someone change one of the parts to fix it. They finally turned our heater back on Saturday night. Well! When we woke up Sunday morning it was a little chilly and so I turned the heater up higher. That set off the fire alarms and the carbon monoxide alarm. It was so chaotic in the house haha. We called a bunch of people and the other sisters stayed to try and get it figured out with the PG&E people. While they were doing that I had to take my companion to the Urgent Care because she's been throwing up on top of other sickness.

When we came back the sisters told us that we had a carbon monoxide leak and that they had to turn the heater off again. However they didn't say anything about our apartment being unsafe so we returned and my companion rested for a few hours. Around 5pm our mission president found out and talked with the mission doctor and gave us a call. THey told us to leave the apartment because they didnt want us sleeping in it and that we would be sleeping in our Stake Presidents house. So! We got all packed up and left our apartment and went over to his home. So all of the videos I sent are a little bit of this story and what's been going on. Of course I couldn't tell all of the story on email or video ha. But basically we've been fighting for our lives this week ha.

With all of the sickness, gas leak, and carbon monoxide leak. Pres. Mella told us that we are very blessed. That we have so many angels watching over us because our life was in danger many times. For now we are still staying at the Stake Presidents home we are just not sure for how long. We will most likely be getting a new apartment to move into though since it's not been safe for us. I didn't want to share this story to scare you all haha. I just wanted to share with you my week and also remind you all that God is always watching over us. When we are doing what is right and our living the best we can we don't need to worry!

Even though we've had all of these crazy experiences this week we've been able to remain calm and happy! haha. My companion and I have learned a lot more about each other and have grown in testimony and faith. It defintely wasn't easy to be sick for so long and to not be able to work as much as we wanted. We knew though that if we weren't good then we couldn't help other people. The good news as well is that we were able to have a lesson with Joel again and we haven't been able to do that for several weeks. He wants to really learn from us again and we are continuing to pray for him that he will want to be baptized!

If you can please pray for the work here in Livermore and more specifically in the Mocho Branch! We really want to help the members get more motivated to do the work! And understand that it's a team effort, not just something full time missionaries do. We need EVERYONE because this is the Lords work and it's not just ours! I love my mission and I love this gospel so much!! Thank you for all of your prayers and your love!!

LES AMO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hermana Buys :) :)

NOVEMBER 23RD

Hello everyone!! I hope that all of your weeks went super well! Mine was super great even though it was definitely not what I expected would happen ha ha.We actually found out some crazy news this morning that we will be receiving another companion!! ha ha So we will be in a TRIO :O ha ha I'm not sure if it's a new missionary or not but we will be a three-some. We were so shocked since they hadn't mentioned anything before! And so the housing coordinator came to our apartment and we had to re-arrange everything again ha. He brought a mattress and another desk.  I'm kind of scared, but  I know that Heavenly Father just wants to help me continue to grow and to have many unique experiences. Even though it'll be rough I know it's going to be GREAT :D Also we are back in our apartment and they replaced the heater and things like that so we are Safe now, yeah!!!

 Well, last week we were pretty sure that my companion Sis. Guevara would get better however, she actually got worse. We went to Urgent Care 2 times for her and 1 time for me. I was able to get prescription medicine for my sinus infection, finally! ha ha So that was fantastic! My comp. ended up getting a new prescription and I think that it's working a LOT better for her so it's great!

 My companion is continuing to get better so it's making me a lot more calm and assured! We received some crazy news last week that I am called to be an STL AGAIN!!! I was so surprised and shocked, but I am so happy :D Because I was called as an STL I went to a special meeting with Elder Hamula!! He is one of the Apostles in the 1st Quorum of the 70!!!!

He came and spoke to the leaders of the missionary and he taught us some things that have changed my life! It has also made me realize the purpose of my mission and why God wants me here at this specific time :) He taught us about our eternal Identity! Our mission is really focusing on "Setting the Mission on Fire!" He said that in order to catch this fire we need to first understand who we REALLY Are! Because without that we can't reach our potential here in the field or in this life! We read many scriptures in the New Testament, specifically in Revelations 12 and Hebrews 12! It is truly astonishing when you read these chapters and realize that we are Warriors! We are fighting on the Saviors side and even though the adversity is really strong we are stronger.

We are blessed with amazing qualities and talents that we had in the pre-mortal life and it's our job to use them and magnify them here! We are so blessed with so many things that helps us to remain strong during this experience! I think I will have to email you my notes and you can read over them in order to really understand what I'm sharing,haha :) The point of it is though that I realized that one of the biggest reasons I needed to serve the mission was because I needed to learn who I really am! I had known a little before the mission but it was just touching the surface :) I'm just so grateful to have a Heavenly Father who gives me experiences like the mission, so that I may help others and also help myself understand my eternal identity! God truly is our LOVING Heavenly Father :)

Well I must say that I truly am blessed with the greatest family ever!! I am thankful for each of you! You are so special to me and you make me so happy! It's so great because everyone I have ever lived with in the mission has always told me that it looks like my family is super important to me! And when they ask me that I tell them YES!! I wouldn't trade you guys for anything! I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving and I'm excited to hear back from you next week :) Be careful and have a great week!!!

Con mucho amor,

Hermana BUYS :D :D
 
NOVEMBER 30TH

Hello!! I hope that everyone's Thanksgiving was good! Mine was so awesome! We were able to eat dinner with the English Ward and also have dinner at our Branch Thanksgiving party so that was awesome! We also got permission to take 2 hours out of our day to do something fun. And so...we slept! It was glorious!! ha ha It didn't feel like Thanksgiving though to me.

Also! Our new companion is Hermana Yepez! She is on her last transfer of the mission so it's kind of crazy because after this I only have 1 more. She is from Florida and will be going back to BYU after the mission so you'll be able to see her around :) She is one of the sweetest people I've ever met and just loves talking to EVERYONE ha literally. Even when I'm already in the car, and I'm just like,"what's going on?" ha ha I realized though that even if your new comp. is fantastic it still takes a LOT to get used to.

As a trio we get along really well but it's been a really hard adjustment for me. I'm not going to lie that it was a really really hard week for me. As soon as something new and amazing happens I can just see Satan start to creep in. We saw so many miracles this past week and along with that a lot of hard things. I've been feeling that she was sent in because I was doing a bad job. I know that sounds super silly, ha but that's how I've been feeling. I've been trying to fight that off but it is a constant daily process still.

Of the miracles that we've seen there are 2 that REALLY stick out to me! One of them is with our investigator Rosa! Shed been planning on going to Mexico for a period of time and wasn't sure how long she'd be there. We were able to visit with her 2 times before the day she was supposed to leave. At both of these lessons she kept telling us that she felt so at peace and that we just brought something that she couldn't feel anywhere else! We told her about how that is the Holy Ghost and she said, "I know." It was so amazing to see the spirit testify to her again and again that what we were teaching is true.

At our last lesson with her we were talking about the commandments namely scriptures,prayer, and obedience! She agreed to read everyday and do all of those things. For some reason though we felt like we needed to ask her to be baptized again. She told us that as she was on her adventure she would prepare herself for baptism!! That was one of the sweetest moments ever! Because when she said that I know that she would be getting baptized! That she already had a testimony of the church and of the Book of Mormon.

Before the lesson I was afraid that she'd never return back to CA but the Holy Ghost helped me feel comforted to know that she'll come back and no matter what be baptized! It's so amazing to come to understand the way that the Holy Ghost works through not only us but also through the investigators. And as I've said before and I'll say it again that if Investigators are not willing to open their hearts and desire what we are sharing them, it will not work! It is the work of both sides and the Holy Ghost! Isn't that amazing?!

The other miracle I've been thinking about is with Yahir! We had dropped him 2 months ago and recently he started coming to the lessons again! Last week we had a hard time helping him to pray because he wouldn't do it. We really emphasized on prayer on Monday and tried to help him understand. Well, we came back on Saturday and we asked him to say the closing prayer and he did! It was a huge miracle! Because he hardly ever talks or participates and now he is praying!!! Not only that but he also has come to church 2 weeks in a row :) Right now is definitely his time :)

I'm so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that is always there to lead me and help me. I know that he just desires for us to be happy and to learn and grow from all of our experiences. I know that God knows us personally and that with his help we can do anything! I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Con MUCHO AMOR!!!!!!!!!

Hermana Hollie Buys :)  

October 2015

OCTOBER 5TH 

Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well! As you can all see this past week was super eventful! I was able to go on exchanges Monday night to Tuesday night and it was a blast! The exchanges were in San Jose and I've never been there before so it was quite the experience. We had a super difficult lesson and it was literally the hardest lesson we've both had our entire missions. The family was just really torn apart and the people in the family who are members weren't being a good example to the nonmembers. Luckily though I heard that they still want to learn and will just be taking the lessons a little bit slower.

Other crazy things that happened this week was that we got to go on an Emergency 2hr exchange. I was able to talk to a sister and help her to feel confident in her area and in the mission. I felt super sad but yet happy that I could try to help her! That day we also had President Mella come to our lesson. AHH!! It was so scary but we tried to prepare well beforehand! We taught the priesthood and the lesson was for Joel. THe lesson went super well though! The only bad thing that happened was when I spilled gatorade on the investigators floor haha. They weren't upset about it at all though so I was thankful and very embarrassed hahaha.

To add to the excitement of the week we had MLC again (Mission Leadership Council) This month our focus is on "Apply what we learn" The application part was teaching! ha So there was about 6 companionships who got up and taught a lesson in front of everyone. I luckily didn't have to go up! ha. It was great though because the point of it was to learn good teaching habits and apply it to ourselves!

But of course we all know that the end of the week was the BEST!! I loved conference so much! I really can't choose just one specifically.. However something that stood out to me is the theme of the Holy Ghost. I really feel like I understand it's purpose a lot better now! I loved how they related it to being a travel companion and that it works with us at our own speed. I think that was something that I really needed to hear! Conference was yet another witness to me that this is Christ's true church! The prophet is called of God and he receives revelation that is necessary for our age and TIME :) God only asks of us that we do our best and that we enjoy this beautiful life he has given us.

I'm very excited for this final week of the transfer and for our companionship. I sure have learned a lot these past 7 weeks and I'm thrilled for the opportunity that I'll have this Wednesday to go do a session in the temple! I'm so grateful for my calling as an STIL as it continues to strengthen my testimony and desire to serve everyone! Not just investigators or members, but other missionaries too!! I love Livermore and I can't wait for the miracles to come these last 3 transfers of my mission :)

Love you ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hermana Buys


OCTOBER 12TH

Oh my goodness!! This past week was the perfect way to end the transfer and to finish my time with my comp. Sister Gilvarry!! The miracles began to flood in on Monday when we received a call from the Elders. They've been teaching someone who is best friends with our investigator. Their investigator decided that she wanted to be baptized the following week. Well she told our investigator (Lupe) about it and Lupe told her that she wanted to be baptized as well!!! When the Elders told us this we didn't believe them because Lupe is very stuck in her ways. Also because we set a date with her for January 1st. Well, the next day we called her and she sounded really busy. She told us that she didn't want to be baptized the coming Saturday. After that conversation we weren't too discouraged because it was what we thought would happen...However! Exactly ten minutes later she called us back and told us that she really did want to be Baptized and that she was serious about it!! After that we went over to her house and went over the questions and she knew everything. She had her real interview two days later and she passed it! Lupe was baptized yesterday at 4pm just an hour before we had to leave for my companions outgoing fireside :)

I feel so blessed to have been a part of this amazing miracle and I know that there are SO many miracles to come!! It was a testimony to me, once again, of the power of inspired goals!! When I came to this area we set a goal of 5 baptisms and we've been able to see all 5 of them!!! :) Among this huge miracle we were also able to see many little miracles everyday! Since we've been working super hard to find people last week we saw the fruits of our labors! We were able to find 5 more people to teach and they are people that came to us and asked us to teach them :)

And of course the temple was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just really tried my best to enjoy the session and not try too hard to memorize things. AND...it worked!! haha. I learned so much from the temple and I could tell that even just not going for 6 months it was a little bit rough to remember things. That's why we need to go to the temple as frecuently as we can :) ha Of course I can't right now, but in the future for sure :) Some great things I learned in the temple was more about who our Heavenly Father is and why obedience to the commandments is crucial for our spiritual and temporal survival :)

My most exciting and nerve wracking news for the week is that since my companion goes home tomorrow I will be TRAINING a new missionary!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited and when I received the phone call I was so much at peace. I know that right now is the time that God wanted me to do this and that I'm going to learn so much from it!! Everything just seems to be where it should be right now. I love it!! I was also released as an STL which is kind of sad, but I'm happy because I really enjoyed it and it will be a lot better that I can just focus on the new missionary coming in!! I will pick her up at the mission office on Thursday so I will send pictures of us next week haha :) I'll be with an English sister for 2 days since we both dont have companions and are training at the same time!!!

Also!! I was able to go to SIs. Gilvarry's last area and see a baptism and my old comp. SIster Villanueva was there!! It was so amazing to see her and I've never been happier in my life :) I just felt like we were companions again and it was the best thing ever!!! When we went to the outgoing fireside I was able to see all of my companions except for my trainer. It was such a blessing to see them all!! I also saw Maria and Jose(my old investigators from redwood city) and I saw the chavez family who were my first baptism in my first area!! Even though it was my companions outgoing I really felt like it was mine. I was able to so many people that I love! There literally is no greater feeling than seeing the people that you've taught and to know that they're strong in the gospel! When I walked up to the Chavez family we all just kept hugging each other and smiling non-stop. After experiencing this I realized that all of the things we go through as missionaries are totally worth it! Just to be able to experience so much joy and have so much love for these people. It's just something you can't even describe! It really rejuvenated me and helped me recognize that I can do this hard work! Every sacrifice and tear and hardship, it is all worth it!! I love this work!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for all of your love and support! I wish you all the best week ever!!

Con mucho amor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hermana Buys


OCTOBER 19TH

Wow it's been quite a week! It's crazy to think that I had three
companions throughout the week ha. As always it's hard to say goodbye
to a companion :( Luckily though we all live so close to one another
and so it's a lot easier to stay in contact. Well for the two days
while I was waiting for my new companion to come it was really crazy.
We had to cover two areas and try to go to all of our appointments as
well. It was amazing to me the difference of teaching by myself verses
with a companion. The reason I had to teach alone is because I was the
only one that spoke Spanish ha. During this time I realized the
importance of having two witnesses. Because I can try and do my best
but when that other witness isn't there it's just not the same and the
spirit doesn't feel the same. Anywho, this week I was also able to get
to know the investigators better since I was gone a lot last transfer.
I'm starting to connect to them better and understand their
perspective. What my companion and I really want to focus on is
knowing their needs and focusing on that. Make sure to make everything
personal to them and not just teach it.

Well I received my new companion on Thursday!!!!! Her name is Hermana
Guevara!!!!!! She is from Hyrum, Utah and is Guatemalan :) It's super
cool! It was insane because when we went to the transfer meeting I had
to lead the music. I looked down and saw her smile and  i just knew at
that moment she would be my companion! Her first language is Spanish
and she has known English since she was twelve! It's super interesting
because ever since she came here things have just been so different. I
feel like a big chunk of what I thought was missionary work has
changed. It's been good though! We go to bed at night just super
exhausted haha. We are trying to use our time even more wisely so that
we can fit all of the activities in also ha. She is a really great
sister and is super prepared. She seems as though she has been on her
mission for quite a while when it comes to a lot of things. I even
sometimes forget that I'm training her haha. I think it's a good
experience for both of us and it's helping me to be open to different
ideas :) I think my favorite element of our companionship though is
that we are always laughing :) Our whole apartment actually is just
full of laughter :) The other crazy thing too is that I'm the
designated driver and so I drive all day everyday ha. I think it's
just preparing me for the rest of my life hahaha.

Well two great miracles I saw this week were 1st, we met with our
investigator Rosa and she had a really bad headache. She let us in
anyway and we taught her about the plan of salvation. At the end of
the lesson she told me that her headache was gone, and she felt so
much better and at peace. I reminded her that it was the Holy Ghost
and she said that she knew it was. She said hat she feels it every
single time that we come. Wow! It was such a testimony to me that the
Holy Ghost truly is there in the lessons. He's doing all the work and
teaching her. He's healing her sicknesses and helping her realize that
this is something she needs! The other miracle is that we went and saw
a 9yr old girl Paloma! We taught her the restoration and invited her
to church. When we went to remind her of church Sunday morning she was
up and ready to go to church. We were going to have her get a ride
with a member but her dad just decided to drop her off at the church.
She stayed there the whole time and then at the end she said hat she
loved it! She'll hopefully be coming to activity days and Tuesday and
back to church on Sunday! It was such a beautiful thing to see a kid
as young as her so excited for church and wanting to learn more about
God.

Well I just leave with all of you my testimony that this is Gods work!
He is the one that qualifies us to do it and without him we are
absolutely nothing. He gives us the strength and the bravery and
knowledge to make it happen. I know that as we put our faith in him we
will be able to see miracles and he can help us to change.

Con mucho amor,
Hermana Buys :D

 OCTOBER 26TH

Hello family and friends!!! This past week was another one that was full of many adventures and running around like crazy. I actually started the week off feeling quite sick and then Tuesday it got pretty bad. I was coughing really hard and I had to stay home that day. I felt really bad because it's just the start of my comps mission, but there wasn't really much else to do. The only time I went outside of the house was with my interview with President Mella and that was it. He even told me that we could reschedule the interview but I told him that we were already at the church and to just do it. It was a really great interview and he talked to me about some of the changes he's seen in me during the mission and to see where I am now. I was pretty surprised about all of that but thought he was being nice ha ha. I also received a blessing and it was wonderful! It talked about how because of my faith in the Priesthood I would wake up the next morning and be healed completely. And I literally woke up the next morning and was completely fine!! I even went to zumba and exercised!! This was probably the biggest miracle I saw last week. I know that it doesn't have anything to do with investigators but this was something that really touched me!

I was also impressed by the blessing because it also talked about how I need to remember my purpose as a missionary. The next day we had District Meeting and we talked about our purpose and having the desire to baptize. After this day my companion and I asked 3 people to be baptized and it took a lot of faith on our part. We haven't received their answers yet but we know that the more we invite the more we are fulfilling our purpose. That we will be better instruments in the Lords hands. It's so amazing to see that the blessing I received really just completely shaped the whole rest of the week.

Another sweet moment we had was when we were walking back to our car on Thursday I felt impressed to talk to this women who was getting out of her car. We walked up and introduced ourselves and she told us that she is from another city further away. We were a little bummed because we couldn't teach her. We gave her a card and as soon as we were about to leave she stopped us and asked if we said prayers. We said,"Of course!" And asked if we could offer one with her right there. She said no and then stood there for a minute and began crying. After giving her hugs and waiting a few minutes she agreed to  have us pray. She told us how her son is in jail and she's so sad about it. That she tries to remain strong in front of her kids but when she's alone she's completely miserable. We talked a bit with her and after the prayer she seemed to calm down a little bit. We had to say our goodbyes and we were off. It was such a sad and great experience to recognize that God answers every prayer. We were just in that area at that time to bring some hope back into her life. God doesn't just send angels but he sends people in our path to come and rescue us.

I hope that as all of you are going about with your regular activities this week that you'll take the time to recognize those who are in need of your help. They are all around us! All we have to do is pay attention to the whispering and guidance of the spirit.

Les AMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hermana Buys

SEPTEMBER 2015

SEPTEMBER 7th

 Hi everyone!!! Happy Labor Day!!! I hope that you're all having a fun
and exciting day :) not sure exactly what we'll be doing here but it's
kind of hard because it's Labor Day and everything is closed ha. Well
this past week was quite a week! Not sure if I told you all but two
weeks ago in district meeting our district leader had us make a goal
of how many baptisms we want to have this month. So my companion and I
thought about it and we decided on two! The very next day we decided
to invite someone to be baptized and she said yes! Her name is
Samantha and she is 14 years old! She's so great! 2 days after that we
invited Alan(son of Julia our recent convert) to be baptized! And he
also said yes! They'll both be getting baptized on September 19th at 7
pm :) we are so happy for them and we can see that the Lord just
brought them to us. It was really a testimony to me of inspired goals!
I've sadly never really had that experience on my mission, in the past
we would just set goals and forget about them. However with our
companionship now we are completely focused on it and with God doing
the work we achieve it!

Another great thing I love about our companionship is that we both
understand the importance of planning daily! So when we do our studies
and especially companionship study we use our time wisely and are able
to plan out all the details of the lessons we will have. It's been a
lot of help because I know that when we are prepared we are better
tools that the Lord can use :) I saw the blessings of this preparation
specifically with a lesson we had with Alan. We taught him the
restoration again but in English instead. At the end of the lesson we
asked him to pray right then and there and to ask God if Joseph smith
is a true prophet and if the Book of Mormon if true! He prayed and he
struggled during it but after the prayer was over we just sat in
silence for a few minutes. He opened his eyes and said,"the spirit of
God is upon me." It was a beautiful moment for us to see the faith and
desire of a ten year old to really want to know the truth :)

I'm really loving this area and getting used to most of the things. We
have a lot of less actives and many potentials to see! We are trying
to find a lot more people to teach and really focus on those who are
ready, not just visit people who aren't progressing. I actually went
to the Missionary Leadership Council this week for my first time. It's
a meeting they have once a month for the zone leaders and sister
training leaders. This meeting was literally the worst and best
meeting I've attended haha. They basically tell you all the things we
need to fix in the mission and why. They talk about numbers a lot as
well, which you all know isn't what I really like haha :) for about
half of the meeting I was just numb but then after we had a break and
got to the second part I loved it! Our theme for this month is
obedience and we really dove deep into that. The main thing I took
from it was "desire" our desire motivates us to do everything. And I
had to ponder what is my desire for staying on the mission, what
motivates me? In this counsel what we believe it really comes down to
is the love that we have for God. If that love is strong enough we
will be willing to do everything to bring people to him!

I continue to be amazed every day of the trust that Heavenly Father
has in each of us. Because he has that much trust in us we really need
to work on being worthy of that trust. Sometimes we have to give up
some things and put new things, better things into our lives. I know
that as we turn more towards God and put all our heart,might, mind,
and strength into his work we will be happier than we have ever been
before. Our understanding will increase and we will want to do all we
can to bring people to him. To share the happy news! I'm excited for
this coming week as I have 3 zone training meetings to attend to and
tech at. It's going to definitely be a growing experience for me, but
I'm excited and ready for it! We will also be having stake conference
so I'm really excited! If you could all pray for our investigator Joel
that would be so great! He is struggling to find his answer if the
church is true and is also concerned about baptism. As well please
pray for our area that we will be able to find those who are ready :)

Las quiero MUCHO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

La Hermana Buys

Sent from my iPad



 SEPTEMBER 14TH

Well, this week was super crazy!!! It has continued to be 106 degrees or more and so it's been really hard to be outside for a long amount of time. One day we just had to stop into some less active members houses and just feel the fresh air and drink some water ha ha. On addition to that I ended up getting sick on Wednesday night because of the heat, food allergies(gluten and dairy) So I had to go home early that night and just sleep ha. I thought that my sickness would be over by the next day but it wasn't ha. I ended up sleeping for like 4 hours or so that day. And the sickness continued for the rest of the week. I called our mission nurse and it turns out that every time my body has gluten or dairy it takes several days for it to go back to normal because it's so exhausted. So I guess I pushed it too much and it was taking 4 days or so to get back to normal.

Among all of this we had 3 Zone Training Meetings! One of them I wasn't able to make it to, due to being sick. The other two though were super great! I was able to teach with the other STL and the first one we taught about desire. The second one we taught about finding and making the work go better! I really enjoyed both of these meeting and being able to meet different zones because we all have different perspectives and ideas that we can learn from! I have to say though that my favorite thing to teach was desire! Oh my goodness, desire is such a big part in the mission, relationships, life, everything! And I'm just super passionate about it! ha ha. Our desire is the reason that we do everything and so if it's not the correct desire we have to start back from phase one and really try to gain that desire!

After going to all of these meetings I can really say that it was inspiration for me to receive this calling. Even though it's only been a week, I really feel like I am a lot more confident in myself. I am not as afraid to share my thoughts with other missionaries and I understand it as more of a discussion instead of just us teaching. There really is an input from everyone. I like it because it is an opportunity to stretch myself and really learn how to prepare wisely and especially when we don't have much time ha ha. So even if I only have this calling for one transfer I look forward to the next one we will be having :)

As far as investigators go..we are really working on finding right now! The only solid ones we really have are getting baptized this Saturday so we want to continue to have a lot of people to teach ha ha. So far though we should be having their baptisms Saturday at 7pm!! Sis. Gilvarry and I are super excited for them!! It was so cute to see that Alan really just wanted to be baptized last week and he could hardly wait for this next Saturday to come. I think we all should be like that! But since we're all baptized already just put that excitement for church, right?!? :)

The last thing that really made my week I would say was Stake Conference :D We were blessed to hear from our mission president and his wife. Also! From the Presidency in the Oakland Temple! WOW!! They told us many wonderful things that they had witnessed in the temple over the years that they've been there. The spirit was really strong and I just became super excited for when I go home. In the sense that I will be able to go to the temple as much as I want! After hearing their talks it reminded me of the goal that I have to work in the temple after and I really feel like it's something that I should do :)

I just wanted to end with my testimony! I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's true church! He restored it through the prophet Joseph Smith who did see God and Jesus Christ. I know that we have the Priesthood here on the earth and because of it we can have forever families! How blessed I am to know that my family is sealed and will be together forever! There is not a greater gift nor blessing that I could have greater than this!! I know that God loves us and he hears every prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Con MUCHO AMOR,

Hermana Buys
 


SEPTEMBER 21ST

 Hello Family!!!!!!!!!!! This week was terrific! It started out super great because I was able to go on exchanges! I learned a lot and was able to go and see the house that dad grew up in! (The one in Pleasanton) It was super neat as well because the sister I was on exchanges with will be going home the same day as me. Her name is Sister Niu! It's been super cool as well because I met her at the beginning of my mission and then we served together in my last zone :) She taught me a lot about including members and becoming their friends first. Too often as missionaries we just try and get referrals from members instead of gaining their trust first. So that was a great thing to learn.

Honestly this week just flew by ha ha which is super good cause I love it when things go by fast! On Friday though we had a Zone Conference! I think it was one of my favorite one's I've been to on the mission. They had a lot of different ways of teaching that made it easier to understand. One of the segments was about the attributes of Christ! We watched a bible video for each attribute showing an example of it! I felt like this was the perfect thing for me because I was able to really understand the attribute in a different level and apply it to missionary work. Recently we've been talking a lot about the apostles and how they went fishing after Christ died and when he returned that's what they were doing. I was thinking about it and it really is something we can all relate to in different ways. The way I always think about it though is that when I go home from the mission I can't go back to who I was before. I have to keep progressing and be at a higher level of commitment! As well I have to keep progressing in the mission and make my end better than the beginning!!

Well, if you thought my week couldn't have gotten any better...it did!! Saturday and Sunday were the best days of my week!! The first amazing thing is that we went to dinner with a member at a fancy Mexican restaurant! While we were there a waiter came up to my comp. and I and asked if we spoke Spanish. We told him yes and he began to tell us how he has been less active for 7 years and wants to return! That the reason he got out of the habit was because during that time he moved to Mexico. So we got his information and are planing on going to see him! After that happened the member asked us to explain what went on. After we told her she gasped! She said that she was praying we would have a missionary experience at dinner and that we could bring someone back to God again! And right there her prayer was answered :D

After dinner we were able to go and get ready for the baptism! Oh my goodness! It was the BEST baptism I've ever seen! The spirit was there when we sang, testified, and throughout the whole meeting. My favorite part was when it was Samantha's turn to be baptized. We looked at her and tears were just streaming down her face. At first I thought she was scared..but then she told us that she was so excited and so ready to be baptized! That hit me really hard! It was another testimony to me that there are literally people out there starving spiritually they are waiting for the gospel and to be baptized and they need it now! And as a missionary I need to be doing all of my part to make sure that I find them and invite them to be baptized!

My other favorite moment of the week was when we went to the visitors center yesterday!! We went with Alans family and were focusing specifically on his dad Joel! It turns out that Joel and Julia had gone to the visitors center 6 years ago, but it didn't have the impact that it did yesterday. Joel told us that if he had felt the way he did yesterday but 6 years ago than his life would be a LOT different now. WOW! Even though we may have regrets I know that God knows the correct time for everything to happen in our lives. And right now is Joel's time! He is still very nervous about baptism but yesterday was exactly what he needed! And right now he is praying to know if he should be baptized on October 10. I know that God will answer his prayer and he will receive that confirmation that what he's doing is right!

I just want to share my testimony that I know families are eternal! There is nothing, nothing greater than to be sealed to my family forever! The temple is the place where we need to always be. There are so many people in our families that need that work done. We have a body and a temple recommend so we need to go the temple work them :) I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

LES QUIERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Hermana Buys



SEPTEMBER 28TH  

Hello Family and Friends!!

This week was a pretty great week as usual. It actually just flew by so quickly that I'm still in awe that it's a new week, super crazy! We only have this week and next week and then the transfer will be over so it's a little bitter sweet since my companion will be going home soon. Well I started off my week super fun by going on exchanges with the Fremont sisters! I was able to go to Fremont with Sister Walton and I got to know her really well! She actually came out into the mission field with me but is English speaking so she will be going home the transfer after me. As I was out in her area I realized that as missionaries everyone is always working really hard to find and it's a continuous process. We shouldn't just look for them at the last minute when we don't have many of them anymore. However we should be constantly trying to find them because they are everywhere! It was a great thing for me to learn because my companion and I are really focusing on finding. It was also fun to see how different each missionary is with their investigators and members.

We ate dinner with a member while on exchanges and this is literally one of the most amazing members I've met! She's been a recent convert of about 5 years! She converted with her 2 kids and she is Vietnamese! She works at a nail shop and everyday she talks to everyone about the gospel. Every client, friend, and family member! She shared some of her experiences with me and I was just amazed! It's really cool to see members who are really trying to do their best to keep others on the right track and to spread the gospel. Coolest dinner ever!!

One of the other things I really enjoyed this week was being able to continue seeing the progress of recent converts! We've been able to see many baptisms and so with that comes the responsibility to continue to take care of those converts. It's been really neat to see them keep progressing and holding onto the gospel. One of our converts was even able to enter into the temple! Even though we couldn't be there she told us that it was even better than she had ever imagined! And this was just doing baptisms! So I'm really excited for her future :)

I also thoroughly enjoyed the General Women's Broadcast! The songs were perfect along with the videos and talks! I was laughing because my companion and I totally called it that Pres. Utchdorf would speak, and he did! ha. My favorite talk was by Sis. Wixom! I loved how she focused on Divine Nature. During Sis. Wixom's talk I realized that understanding this value is something that I really need to work on.ha. So my next goal is to study all about that. I really have a testimony of going to conference with a question! I know that we can all receive that answer and then follow the direction we receive. There is always something that we can improve on :) SO I encourage everyone to come up with a question and take it to conference. Then listen closely and you will find your answer!

I'm looking forward to this coming week as we have general conference, exchanges, Pres. Mella joining us in a lesson with an investigator, and finding more people! Can't wait to see more miracles!!

Les AMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxox

Hermana Buys

August 2015

August 3rd

Well, as you all know this week was super crazy! I don't have a ton to report on this week as mostly all of you already know a lot about what happened haha. I really believe that I experienced all of the emotions this week. The sadness, happiness, loneliness, and all of the above. With the death of Jencie it's been hard on me. I feel her absence and I was really longing to be there at home for the funeral. What a blessing it was though to be able to talk to the family. I think that is the reason that I've been able to stay calm thus far. As this tragedy happened it's made me realize that I really do have the spirit with me. I've been sad but not to the degree that I've expected to feel. I have felt this overwhelming sense of calmness with me that I can't even describe. It's really just like a blanket of peace, and it sure is amazing. Along with this the tragedy has taught me that I really do have a testimony of all the things that I teach here in the mission field. And I believe that the thing I have the strongest testimony of is eternal families and life after death. I used to be scared of death even though I knew the plan. However, now that I know someone who has passed away it's strengthened that assurity, that knowledge that they still live.

During the week we had the opportunity to pick up our mini missionary!! Her name is Natalia and she is from Mtn. View!! Its been super fun having her here with us. I think I've already become super comfortable with her because I forget she's not a missionary. I have to remind myself to explain some things because she doesn't know what they are. I really imagine it is a little bit of what it would be like to be training a new missionary haha. She's been a help thus far to our companionship and as well to the lessons. We all have a good time together and are able to laugh. 

This Saturday was fantastic day because of Kenya's baptism! President Mella came and I was able to talk to him face to face. Of course I cried when I talked to him but it made me feel a little bit better. I'm really glad that I'll be able to talk to him a little bit longer tomorrow because we have interviews!! Anyway, the baptism was fantastic! Kenya was super prepared and she was just so happy. Her dad was able to baptize her and when she came up out of the water they just hugged one another so tightly. On Sunday she was confirmed a member of the church! And even before she was confirmed she helped a young women visiting for the first time. She took her to young women's with her and was already being like a missionary! It made Hermana Blanco and I soooooo happy!! It's been a miracle to teach Kenya and it's going to be hard when she goes back to Mexico :( 

I know that my emails been kind of backwards this time ha but in truth I really did have a good week. I think that it was definitely a week of learning of which I am glad! My Heavenly Father knew that all of this was going to happen and he gave me this opportunity to strengthen my testimony of him and in him. I'm so excited for this week as we have a special training from President Mella along with Zone Training Meeting. It's going to be even more learning this week :) 

I love my Savior and I love that he gave me the best family EVER! You are all so dear to me and I love you :D xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

La Hermana Hollie Buys

August 10th

This week we had a Zone Conference and as well a Zone Training Meeting so it was packed full with meetings! You would think that as a missionary you would get tired of meetings, but I actually really enjoyed them. :) Our Zone Conference was with President Mella! We talked about the importance of having a professional relationship with all missionaries. We also talked about handling stress and using technology appropriately. I really thought that they were and are necessary things that our mission needs to do better on at this time. As well though I learned something very valuable that Sister Mella said. And that lesson is that the primary, the main reason we are here on a mission is to help other people. If you put it into few words that's exactly why we are here. To bless the lives of others! How cool is that?? I think that sometimes people make it too complicated, but when I remember that it helps me really to stay focused.

 I was also lucky to have an interview with President Mella! We talked about a lot of things and one of them being where do I want to serve?? ha I was happy about that. And don't worry Dad, I told him Livermore/Pleasanton/Monterrey! So we'll see what happens in 2 weeks for transfers! :O I also was really happy when at the end of the interview he told our companionship that he wanted to adopt us into his family ha. I think that means we are pretty close to President and Sister Mella ;)

Well in addition to all of those meetings this week was completely different. Having the mini missionary was super fun! We didn't have a hard time teaching together and it just went very smoothly! I think because of her addition to the work we kind of changed our work a little bit. Last week we weren't able to teach many people but we went to a lot of houses! ha-ha. We also talked to a lot more people on the streets and it was super fun! We were walking down the street and I said hi to someone in Spanish. After I said that they turned around and said, "What you speak Spanish?" I said, "YES!" ha-ha Then they asked me why and we were able to give them the address to the church and as well get there phone number! It was such a neat experience and I was in shock the whole time. I think that's one of the reasons that God helps us learn a new language. It's another example that his work will go to all people and in all languages. That it really is his work and not just some random classes that Adults are giving.

Well, as you all know we have 2 investigators named Maria and Jose! They have a baptismal date for August 29 and we are still praying that they will follow through with it. Maria can be very stubborn and doubt herself a lot and so her husband is trying to push her a little bit instead of us doing all the pushing. Anyway, we had a lesson with them last Monday and we asked them the baptismal questions without them knowing that it was for baptism. They answered all of them and knew basically everything! Now we are just going back over the things they don't understand as well :) So if you can please keep them in your prayers, that would be fantastic!! :)

If I could put a theme to last week I would really say that it would be Faith!! Everyday as a missionary you have to first believe that you were called of God by the prophet to come here and serve his children. You have to have faith that you are in the specific area that you need to be in and with the companion that God wants you to be with. You have to have faith that you've prepared enough in your personal and companionship study in order to teach people throughout the day. On top of that, you have to have faith that you will find those who are ready and when the time comes have the faith to invite them to be baptized. Then you believe that they will remain active in the church. As you can see, it's a lot of faith!! ha-ha. Sometimes I feel like my faith isn't as strong as it should be. But I know that as I keep trying to believe and have the positive attitude and desire in my heart that I will see miracles.I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

CON MUCHO AMOR,

Hermana Buys xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

August 17th

Hi family and friends!!! This week was super busy and fun as usual :) The saddest part of the week was when our mini missionary had to leave :( I was so sad! And am still adjusting to her being gone. The great thing though is that we are still in contact and she has already started working on her mission papers!! Nothing greater than to hear that news :) On another note, this Thursday we have leadership calls and then Saturday they do transfer calls. Transfers don't happen until Tuesday morning though and that's when we find out where we will be going and who we'll serve with. I'm not exactly positive that I'll leave next week but if my transfers are still on track then I'm thinking so. So next week I will let you all know whats going to happen :)

Last week though we had a super great miracle! If I already told you all this, sorry! ha. So when Hna. Villanueva was here we taught a man named Arturo. We only had one lesson with him and then he wouldn't text us back or anything. We tried about everyday and if we talked about the gospel he'd stop texting. So we stopped texting him completely. When Hna. Blanco got here though I texted him again and we invited him to eat dinner with the Ruiz's. On Tuesday he came to dinner! He was super happy and is completely back. He's really excited about learning now and we met with him twice last week. This was a testimony to me that everyone will hear the gospel in the time that's perfect for them!

Another miracle we had was with a referral we received. We received a referral about a month ago and we tried contacting her. Her number didn't work and her house wasn't real. We were super disappointed. But! Last week we got another referral from a different comp. of elders and it was on the same street! We visited with her and she's super less active. She was in jail for five years and just got out a month ago. Her emotional, physical, and every other state is not so great. But! She needs us so much right now and she just livens up when we come to visit! After the visit with her we looked up her name again and realized that it's the first referral that we received! So it was the same person! Again, another testimony of the exact time that these people need to be taught!

We also had another big miracle with a less active! There's a man named Javier and he is less active because he is pretty ill. When we go visit him he sits outside on a chair with a smile on his face. He doesn't talk a lot but is super happy! So, on Saturday we really felt like we should go visit him. We showed up to his house and he was gone. So we went next door to his sister in laws and she told us that she was praying that we would show up. She gave us the address of the medical office and went and visited him that night! We sang him songs and also read 3 Nephi 11 of when Jesus comes to the Americas! It was such a wonderful visit and his family was there as well. He is the only member of our church, but still they allowed us to teach a lesson. When we got there they told us he wasn't speaking at all. When we were about to leave though he spoke and said that he remembers us from before and recognized our voices. Wow! What a beautiful experience that was. It taught my comp. and I to just follow the spirit no matter what! If you have an idea and you aren't sure if it's you or the spirit, just act on it. Because everything that's good comes from Christ!

Along with all of these miracles I was able to see many more! And I wish that I had enough time to write them all :) I can happily say though that I finished reading the Book of Mormon for the 2nd time on my mission! And my comp. and I were able to finally, really talk and clear EVERYTHING up! It felt so great! Even though we probably only have one week left together I'm so grateful that we can put the past behind and leave with a clean slate :)

I just want to leave with my testimony that I know that this is God's work. He puts people in our paths and he gives us the strength to do what he commands. He has a specific plan for each of our lives. And a great way to make sure our plan is in line with his is by reading our patriarchal blessings every week! That's something I've been doing on my mission and it's strengthened my confidence and my testimony. So I invite you all to do it! You will be amazed by how much more guided by the spirit you be! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Con MUCHO amor,

Hermana Hollie Buys

August 24th

Wow it sure was quite a week. I literally cant remember hardly anything. However I will say that we got transfer calls and I will be leaving :( I'm sad but I know that it's the perfect time. I know that I have other things to learn and different people to learn it from. I'm super excited as well to get a new companion!! I'm hoping at praying that it's one of my comp's that I've already had, ha but we'll see what happens tomorrow. It's my last day in Redwood City and tomorrow morning we'll go to the meeting and find out. So I will let you all know next Monday :) As well...I got called as an STL a Sister Training Leader! A little scary but also awesome. As an STL I will be doing exchanges with the sisters in the zone and make sure that everything is going alright. So I'll be doing that with new people which is super awesome. Its so crazy as well because my companion is training a new missionary and so we both got the call at the same time. We were both so nervous that we couldn't eat well for a few days. ha. STRESS! But excitement as well!! 

Another great thing that happened last week was that we had a ward camp-out! We got permission to go up to Santa Cruz for a day! Unfortunately we weren't able to stay all day because we had to return to receive special training. However, the time that we spent there was super great! I've really come to love the members in the ward here a lot! There is definitely a lot of work to do here with non members. However, there is even more work to do with the members. They need so much help!!! SO I feel so blessed to have been able to help them :) I think by far they have been my favorite members, as you can see in the pictures! ha. And they will always have a special place in my heart :) 

We were also really lucky to go to another baptism in my companions last area. And the baptism was in English!! I loved it! The spirit was so strong and it was just a good reminder of the huge role that the Holy Ghost plays in our lives every single day! As well, we went to the outgoing fireside for the missionaries leaving and that is always a special treat! For each of these events our investigator Jose was there! As I've said before and I'll say it again..he is so prepared!! ha. His wife has gotten sick recently and there baptism is planned for this Saturday. So we are really praying a LOT! If it doesn't happen I know that it will happen soon enough, and in the time that God wants it to be :D 

Well...I guess just to sum up my experience of Redwood City I would say that I've learned a whole lot about service. I've really learned that not everyone is going to be kind or love you the way that you love them. But, you still have to keep serving them because even though they don't recognize it, they are children of God and we are all brothers and sisters. We have to treat each other with love and kindness! I've also learned to be a lot more confident! Taking over the area was really hard because I felt so lonely and that my efforts weren't enough. God gave me the strength though to do it and enjoy it. Because I know that if I didn't trust and love my Savior like I do, then I would have already left and gone home. I've loved all of the people that I've been able to teach here and I'm so excited to be able to come back soon and see many of them enter the waters of baptism. I also know that in the years to come I will still be able to see their lives continue to change for the better! 

I love you all and I look forward to hearing from you next week!! 

With love,

Hermana Buys!

August 31st

Well.....I wanted to surprise you all with a picture, but I'm at the public library and my camera isn't working on the computer. SUper bummer! So I just sent some pictures that are from my Ipad mini. SOrry! BUT! I got transferred to LIVERMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also cover PLEASANTON AND DUBLIN!!!!!!!!!! hahaha. I'm soooooo excited!! When I was at transferred meeting I was so shocked because I was positive that I'd be going to San Jose. ha-ha. Best surprise ever!!!!!!! My comp. is Hermana Gilvarry! And one of my old companions Sister Turley served with her in the MTC so it's pretty great! It's her last transfer in the mission though, so I'm super sad! I will be her last companion in the mission, so I really hope that it's a great time for her here! Well we live in Livermore and we are covering a Branch! We also cover 2 English wards but only if it's necessary, so basically just the branch. There are about 20 or 30 people haha. So insane so we have a lot of work to do. It's such a change for me because it feels like I'm in Utah and not a huge city ha. There is also only 12 missionaries in the Zone instead of 22. As well I will be going on exchanges with 3 zones which means I will have about 6 ZTM meeting in a transfer ha-ha. INSANE!! As soon as I arrived here though I felt instant peace and happiness. I really do love it here and I'm excited to work super hard with the members and in FINDING :) I really haven't felt this much at peace in all of my mission! It truly is a miracle.

The sisters here have been doing such a great job and they've really livened it up a lot! The week before I came they had a baptism and last week we had 2 baptisms in the same day, so great! Julia was baptized and Jorgelina! They were both so ready for baptism and are just joyful, loving, amazing women. I already feel so much love for them and I can't wait to see how much they will be able to help our little branch :) As well, Julia is the only member but her husband and youngest son are also investigating the church. We are going to try and work hard with the kid and start teaching him the lessons again but in English instead :) His dad wouldn't let him get baptized because he didn't think he knew enough. So our new tactic is to change the language and we really think it will help! Even though I've only been here for less than a week I've seen many miracles!

A mother and her 3 kids attended Julia's baptism on Saturday and were able to make an appointment to teach them for Sunday! We went over to there house and had a lesson with them. I had actually thought it was a horrible lesson ha but I was wrong! Even though I made many mistakes the spirit was there. And when we invited the daughter Samantha who is 14 years old to be baptized she began to cry! We couldn't believe it! We asked her to pray and ask God if she should be baptized on the 19th of September!! I know that it's going to happen because she is so ready! You can just see the light of Christ in her eyes :)

I've also seen many little miracles just dealing with my allergies. Two times already people had almost put gluten or nuts in my food. The first one we texted at the exact time when she was going to put it in. And she told us that God was watching over me :) The 2nd one wanted to just bring pasta to our dinner on Sunday and then she felt strongly to bring beans and tostado's. WOW! At first I thought I didn't really think much about it, however now I realize how much my Heavenly Father is watching over me.

I know that Gods plan is perfect and that he is in the every little detail of our lives. He puts so many miracles right in front of our faces! We just have to open our eyes and see the miracles that he's given and is giving to us. I really have a testimony of change and that it's so great! The only way we can grow is if we change and get a little out of our comfort zone. We can't progress if there isn't change. And that's why in the gospel we have so many different callings and responsibility. We don't keep a calling for our whole life. But we learn new skills and abilities that are there to help us and everyone around us. I invite you all to look for the miracles that God is placing in front of you. There are many everyday! I'm super excited for the chance to serve here and I know there are great things to come!!

Heres my new address: ( PLEASE WRITE :)

3819 East Ave. #64 Livermore, CA 94550

CON MUCHO AMOR

Hermana BUYS :) :) :)